3 Reasons Why Arsenal Will Beat Chelsea

The two London giants meet for the second time this season over the weekend. It could certainly go either way, but here is why Arsenal could come out on top against the Blues.

1. Stronger Defence

It may seem a little stupid to say after their 6-3 thrashing by Manchester City, but up until that game Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League, and with Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba all far from their best, they will have a hard time getting past the Arsenal rear guard. A good defensive showing from the Gunners would see them nullify Chelsea and could at least earn them a point.

2. Arsene Wenger knows Jose Mourinho a little too well

It doesn’t take a football expert to predict that Mourinho’s system will rely a lot on physical prowess and winning aerial battles, but Wenger has faced that particular game plan more than any other manager in the Premier League. Should he keep to fast short passing and avoid high crosses, it’s already half the battle won, and it is likely Wenger knows very well what he must do. Chelsea will not be able to compete with Arsenal’s possessive style, and could struggle to stop them from passing through the defence, as John Terry is now old and getting slower, while Gary Cahill simply isn’t good enough for a club of Chelsea’s size and stature. Branislav Ivanovic may still pose a defensive threat, but other than that Arsenal could tear their way through the Chelsea backline with swift, intricate passing.

3. Speed on the counter attack

Walcott

When coming up against a Jose Mourinho controlled team, you know that you will be facing a game plan that will have men behind the ball, while the attack will have a brutally ruthless style, a kind of ‘as long as it goes in’ attitude, and that makes them dangerous and unpredictable. However, John Terry is the highest scoring centre-back in Premier League history, and it is no secret that he loves to get forward, but if Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry start, Arsenal have pace in abundance and could punish the former England international for being too eager to enter the opposition’s box. Although Olivier Giroud’s finishing ability is average for a supposed top striker, repeated openings of the Blues defence should see him score eventually.